Use of puppets and multimedia

1. The use of multimedia has clearly taken its place in modern theatre. The use of special effects, like that of laser lighting, has become a convention of modern theatre. For one, it helps to enhance the visual aesthetics of the play. Abstract stage settings can be produced easily by using lighting that projects 3D images. In this case, the overall production the use of multimedia successfully enhances a production.

However, because there are so many different types of lighting, the effect that it gives may or may not be appropriate for a play. For instance, The Midsummer Night’s Dream staged by the SRT, laser lighting was incorporated to their play and because the stage was constructed in way that it goes through all the areas where the audience were seated, I found that sometimes when the lights are meant to shine on a particular character, it creates a blinding effect for the audience members. This detracted the overall production because it was not a once-off thing. Perhaps, it was the way the floor plan was worked out. Despite that, I also found that the use of a video that did not show the live act on another part of the stage confused the audience. The idea of having a scene acted at the central area of the stage and yet having the video screened at the front stage made it impossible for the audience seated at the front to view both the on-going stage actions and the video. Certainly, this served as a detraction to the production.

Personally, I do not like the idea of the inclusion of puppets (especially) and multimedia in a production. I find that it wastes a lot of effort put in into the actual acting and it diverts the attention from the stage. Puppet shows are in existence for a reason, and I do not feel as if these objects should be placed alongside actors who have worked hard for their time in the spotlight. Perhaps, if the play requires the use of puppets, like the given extract, then maybe the use of puppets enhances the production.

Done by: Siti Suhara